Marine Operations Note: 08/2005 - Guidance on Access to Ships under the ISPS Code

9 September 2005

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE: 8/2005

Re: Guidance on Access to Ships under the ISPS Code

Dear Owner/Operator/Company Security Officers:

Attached please find MSC/Circ.1156 dated 23 May 2005 “Guidance on the access of public authorities, emergency response services and pilots on board ships to which SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code apply” and MSC/Circ.1112 dated 7 June 2004 “Shore leave and access to ships under the ISPS Code” which applies more to Port Facilities and the issue of Shore Leave for Seafarers.

MSC/Circ.1156 relates to ships and recommends procedures to facilitate the boarding of official authorities in order to carry out their duties and/or services onboard ships. In particular it addresses how the vessel should treat public authorities, emergency response services and pilots, including boarding procedures, searches, escorting and carriage of firearms. For example, in such cases where official authorities have to board a vessel for law enforcement or to respond to emergency situation, it may not be possible or reasonable for ship’s security personnel to implement the normal access control provisions required by the Ship Security Plan.

Ship operators and their Company Security Officers should thoroughly review the circulars and ensure the Guidance therein is incorporated into Ship Security Plans in order to avoid conflicts between the ship’s security personnel and official authorities and to allow them to perform their duties without unnecessary delays and without any obstructions. Also, it is recommended that a copy of these circulars be included in SSP as an appendix.

Any difficulties encountered with the implementation of the Guidance should be reported to this Administration at the earliest opportunity.

For more information please contact Sean Kline or Pini Shwartz at +1 703 251 2490 or email:

security@liscr.com.

Pini Shwartz Director of Maritime Security

Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry

On behalf of

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF MARITIME AFFAIRS

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

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